Framing device



Feb. 3, 1970 w. A. GRAHAM FRAMING DEVICE INVENIOR H a/w A, Grafiam 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 18, 1966 Feb. 3, 1970 w. A. GRAHAM 3,493,224

FRAMING DEVICE Filed July 18, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L30 30 y 33 W 70 INVENTOR Ward 4. Kira/Wm F 11 5461 W ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,493,224 FRAMING DEVICE Ward A. Graham, 10754 Bridlespur Terrace, Kansas City, Mo. 64114 Filed July 18, 1966, Ser. No. 565,832 Int. Cl. B25b 5/14 US. Cl. 269-108 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention particularly relates to framing devices for use in picture framing, frame construction, repair and the like, but additionally relates to devices aiding in carpentry practice, home and building construction, furniture construction and repair, mold assembly, etc. The invention refers and relates to means and apparatus devices particularly for use by a single artisan or individual to align, position and thereafter rigidly hold the most varied sorts of construction, furniture, picture framing, container and like elements whereby to join and connect same.

This invention is an improvement over the construction seen in my Patent 3,224,754, issued Dec. 21, 1965 for Framing Device.

An object of the invention is to provide improved means for aiding the assembly of picture frames, furniture pieces or the like whereby same are easier to operate, more highly eflicient and quicker in terms of results than the known prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide adjuncts for use with the construction of my Patent No. 3,224,- 754, supra, which vastly increases the range of applicability of said device with respect to different frame constructions.

Another object of the invention is to provide simple, cheap, versatile fittings for use with the construction of my patent, supra, wherein the capacity of the device of said patent to adjust to a large multiplicity of frame size ranges and to aid in the assembly of variously shaped structures of various frame types are retained, while additionally, the capacity to accommodate structures of varying transverse edge section is additionally achieved.

Another object of the invention is to provide a framing or frame assembling device operating to provide a concentration of compressive forces across the bodies of varied frame structural members in advantageous manner virtually guaranteeing the success of the framing or assembly jobs attempted, same independent of the overall size range of the frame, the circumferential configuration of the frame or the transverse sectional edge shape thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide associate elements for use with the framing construction or means of my Patent 3,224,754, supra, wherein one or any greater number of said associate elements may be employed to accommodate to the external shape and edge transverse section configurations of extremely complicated or varied structure frames.

Another object of the invention is to provide a framing or frame assembly aiding device for use in carpentry, furniture work, picture frame assembly, etc. where no structural engagement elements as nails, screws, corners, dowel pins or the like are required in assembly of the particular construction or frame, only glue or adhesive, the compression of the device or frame being assembled 3,493,224 Patented Feb. 3, 1970 by my device being so great that only adhesive or glue is required.

Another object of the invention is to provide a highly versatile device for aiding in the assembly and connection of multiple elements of a rigid frame or array which is of extreme simplicity, is safe in operation, wherein all parts thereof are readily accessible for adjustment, repair or cleaning and wherein the entire apparatus may be disassembled and reassembled for replacement, removal or addition of one or more of its various parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide framing means adaptable to many and Varied edge sections of the constructions being assembled wherein the means for adjusting the apparatus to the various edge sections are so constructed, in combination with the: apparatus itself, as to permit the user or operator to tighten the framing assembly with one hand at any desired speed, while using the other hand to finally adjust or align the frame members.

Another object of the invention is to provide framing means of varied type wherein a frame periphery corner engaging element of unique type is employed therewith to greatly facilitate and aid in frame assembly.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear in the course of the following description thereof.

In the drawings, which form a part of the instant specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, embodiments of the instant invention are shown and, in the various views, like numerals are employed to indicate like parts.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the left-hand side of a picture frame element assembly with the improved subject apparatus engaged thereon in joining relationship and actlon. Portions of the frame and device are in section and cut away to better illustrate the construction and engagements of the various parts of the device and the particular frame shown.

FIG. 1a is a view like that of FIG. 1, but showing the basic frame element engaging assembly of my Patent No. 3,224,754, supra, engaging a conventional square edge section frame, this view to illustrate the typical construction of members adaptable to engage with my improved frame edge section adapter members constituting the instant invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevation of one corner of FIG. 1, such as the left-hand side of the lower portion of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2a is a view like that of FIG. 2, but comprising a view taken looking to the left in the upper right-hand corner of the view of FIG. 111.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view analogous to that of the lower portion of FIG. 1 but showing the framing device positioned on the lower right-hand side of the frame and showing the construction of FIG. 1 engaging a frame of edge section as seen in FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 5 is a view like that of FIG. 4, but showing the construction of the instant improvement engaging a frame of different edge cross section.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view analogous to the showing of FIG. 3, but showing a modified form of framing device of one piece construction.

FIG. 7 is an end view of the FIG. 6 construction, taken from the left of FIG. 6 looking to the right in the view.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the device seen in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the corner frame engaging pieces of the framing assembly of FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a frame having mounted thereon a second modified form of framing device utiliz- 9 a ing corner pieces analogous to those seen in FIGS. 6-8, inclusive, and FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a third modified form of framing means showing one corner of a rectangular frame being assembled, the view three-quarter perspective from above.

Referring to the drawings nad particularly FIGS. 1a and 2a, the framing device assembly includes individual right angle corner members, usually four in number, of which only two are shown, and 11, joined together in series by a single length 12 of high tensile strength wire, cord, chain, etc. Cable or wire 12 is threaded through openings 10a and 11a provided through each of the respective corner members. Passages or openings 10a and 11a, inclusive, are preferably drilled perpendicularly to a line bisecting the interior engaging face angle of the corner member. Each opening or passage is received internally of the respective corner member and is preferably so constructed or aligned as to be relatively friction free.

The picture frame members illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 2a extend at right angles to one another and are designated 13-15, inclusive. The ends thereof are mitered at 45 to provide a right angle juncture with one another. Should there be an equiangular triangular frame structure to be joined together, the device corner members would comprise three in number, each having an internal facing angle of 60. For an hexagonal frame, there would be provided six corner members, each having an internal facing angle of 120, etc.

One end of cable or wire 12 is connected as at 12a to the loop of one screw member 16a of a turnbuckle 16. Turnbuckle 16 has other screw member 16b, through the loop of which the other end of the wire threads as at 12b and cage 16c. Cage 160 has preferably two openings through the sides thereof (not seen) through which slidably extend a shaft 16d of a turning handle having enlarged ends 16e. Ends 16e are enlarged whereby not to pass through said shaft openings. Turning handle 16d oscillates back and forth through the openings in cage 16c as the turnbuckle is turned each 180 to give a lever action and ease the effort required to tighten down the assembly.

A rough tightening clip generally designated 17 has parallel cable or wire receiving passages (not seen) therethrough, one of the latter having a set screw 17a associated therewith adapted to compress cable or wire portions passing therethrough. The free end of the cable 12 is seen at 12c. The total length of cable or wire 12 is variable according to the circumferential length of the frame or furniture assembly which is desired to be enclosed and compressed. There must be sufficient cable length to reach around the assembly, pass through all of the end-place corner members, engage turnbuckle screw portion 16b and loop back through the set screw contaming passage in clip 17 after initially passing through the non-setscrew passage thereof.

Alternatively, one or more engaging and tightening devices as seen in FIG. 4 of my Patent 3,224,754, supra, may be employed in association with the loops of turnbuckle screw members 16a and 16b in the manner described in the patent. This structure will not be repeated or detailed here.

In use of the device with frame members as seen in FIGS. 1a and 2a, the frame members 1315, inclusive, are first glue-applied at their miter-engaging faces and then set in level and relatively proper position with all matching faces in contact. This is preferably on some horizontal surface such as a workbench top. The framing device is then fitted around members 1315 (and other like members, not seen) with corner members 10, 11, etc. engaging each frame corner. At this time, clip 17 is open by backing off setscrew 17a and cable 12 is slipped therethrough to provide an ample length of cable to easily and conveniently set the framing corner members 10, 11, etc. in place. The depth of the corner members 10, 11, etc. is shown as less than the depth of the framing pieces. This is not preferable in a rectangular edge section frame, the optimal in such case having a corner member depth greater than the depth of the framing pieces. It is best if the depth of the framing members is at least equal to the depth of the frame pieces whereby there will not be an excess of force applied to only a portion of the depth of the frame pieces and possible grooving or the like theref occurring under strong compression.

Also during the initial fitting process, turnbuckle 16 is so adjusted that cage 16c is backed off screw members 16a and 16b (the opposite of the situation shown in FIG. la). Once the corner members are all in place, the operator grasps the turnbuckle cage 16c with one hand to hold it stable relative to the entire assembly and the free end 12c of cable or wire 12 in the other and pulls the wire tight by sliding it through the loop of screw member 16b and the two passages in clip 17. Only a preliminary tautness or tightness is achieved thus and then setscrew 17a is turned down and cable 12 locked into relative position by clip 17. Turnbuckle 16 is then tightened to the desired degree to apply the final precise degree of force desired. The tension in the wire is transmitted by means of corner members 10, etc. to frame pieces 12, etc. and the frame pieces are thereby compressed into the corner members whereby compressive force is applied directly to and into the matching mitered engaging frame member faces in the glued portions thereof. The entire frame assembly process can be accomplished in some two to five minutes time plus the drying time of the glue used. Once turnbuckle 16 is tightened down, no further attention is required to the framing assembly or the frame pieces as there is complete automatic adjustment and a stable structure in force equilibrium. Once the glue has dried, the operator may remove the device by backing off turnbuckle 16 to a lesser tension level and then releasing said screw 17a. The entire framing device, as a unit assembly, may then be lifted off the completed frame.

The instant improvement comprises the addition to the foregoing described structure seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, namely, an extra corner piece generally designated 18 characterized by two outstanding structural features. The first of these lies in a grooved or slotted periphery adapted to receive therein a rigid mating engagement, a corner member of the character of members 10 and 11. The second of these comprises the provision of an outwardly inverted V-notched inner body portion adapted to fit and engage the most varied frame edge cross-sectional structure or configuration as seen in said FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Referring to all of the figures, except FIGS. 1a and 2a, the body portion 18a of corner pieces 18 may be relieved centrally, externally, as at 18b. The corner pieces 18 shown in these views are those which would be used on a conventional rectangular or square frame with the frame members meeting at or forming a 90 corner. The description will be, in terms of additive corner pieces 18 to cooperate with right angle corner members 10 and 11. There are two legs to each corner piece 18, said legs extending at right angles to one another. The external surface of each leg is relieved inwardly to form a rectangular slot 18c or groove 18c, each groove 18c operative to receive the inward rectangular portion of a leg 11a or 11b or 10a or 10b therein. The width of such groove or slot 18c is preferably substantially that of the width or depth of the legs 10a-11b, inclusive. The depth of the grooves or slots 18c is preferably substantially the height or thickness of the legs 10a-11b, inclusive, so same are substantially fully received therein, as best seen in the lower left-hand corner of FIG. 1. The length of the grooves or slots may vary with respect to the length of legs 10a-11b, inclusive, but is preferably substantially the same, as also best seen in the lower left-hand corner of FIG. 1. The essence of the mating configuration of the outer portions of pieces 18 and the inner portions of the members 10, 11, etc. is that there be no relative movement of the one with respect to the other, when tension is taken up on the cable or wire 12 or 12, the latter seen in FIG. 1, the former seen in FIG. 1a.

The frame configuration in the view of FIG. 1 differs that of the frame in FIG. la. There are seen three mitered end edge frame members 19, 20 and 21, the other portions thereof 19a, 20a and 210 being substantially of the configuration of the rectangular frames 13-15, inclusive, of FIG. 1a, however the inward portions of these frame members of FIG. 1 being of considerably more complex structure as indicated in the view of FIG. 2. The end extremities of the corner pieces 18 may be beveled in their direction of extension as seen at 18d to provide a maximum frame engagement at the corners with a minimum use of metal.

The innermost portions of the additive corner pieces 18, best seen in end view in FIGS. 4 and 5' comprise a pair of inwardly extending, outwardly angled legs 18c converging outwardly to a common base, whereby to be V-shaped, inverted, in transverse section. The inward edges 18 of these legs are rounded or beveled. Such rounded or beveling typically can be on a 4 inch radius. This rounded radius picks up a convex surface at two points and will not dent and scratch, as seen in FIG. 4. In a concave surface, the effect is seen as at FIG. 5. The use of the device on a rectangular type frame peripheral edge is seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 where the legs of the pieces 18 embrace the edges of the frame, best seen in FIG. 2 and the lower left-hand corner of FIG. 1. 9

Typical optional, but optimal dimensions for such a cross-sectional configuration are V-leg lengths 0.625 inch and distance between radiused V-leg extremities of 0.88 inch.

It may be seen, in operation of the entire frame assembly, as previously described with respect to the simple members 10 and 11, the additional corner pieces, mated within the members 10' and 11' or rigidly engaged thereby, with the inner angled legs riding on the frame, in the case of a concave frame as in FIG. 5, or around the frame periphery as in FIGS. 1 and 4, will create a far more secure and exact engagement of the entire framing assembly with the frame as the turnbuckle 16 is tightened down and thus cause all of the frame members 10', 11' and 18 positioned therewithin to contract on the frame members 19-21, inclusive, etc. thus confining the frame members in contact with one another and also aiding their adjustment and planar alignment, one with the other, as the length of the cable or wire 12 or 12' goes to a minimum as the turnbuckle is tightened down. Thus, the only difference in operation between the construction of FIGS. 1a and 2a and the other figures lies in the initial positioning of the pieces or members 18 between the members 10, 11', etc. and the frame. Thereafter, the operation is the same, with the newly included pieces giving a much improved gripping action between the cable engaged members 10 and 11' and the frame, per se, via the outer slots on the bodies 18a and the inner legs 18e thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8, inclusive, therein is shown a modification of the invention which represents a simplification of the structure seen in FIGS. 15, inclusive. In FIGS. 1-5, inclusive, there was provided an encircling array of apparatus comprising the turnbuckles 16, the cable 12, the clamp 17, four corner members exemplified by 10 and 11 and, for cooperation with the latter, corner pieces 18 adapted to be engaged by the members 10', 11', etc. for framing purposes, as seen in the various views of FIGS. 1-5, inclusive. This latter arrangement has many advantages, in that the operator or user has the option of using the fiat centered members 10, 11, 10', 11', etc. or the optional corner pieces 18, the later permitting the use of the device with complexly configured frame constructrons.

The modification of FIGS. 6-8, inclusive, fuses the separate corner members and pieces 10' and 18, for example, to make a single piece which has the functional characteristics of the member 18. Thus, in FIGS. 6 and 7, there is seen a frame construction having members 30 and 31, the mitered end edges of which are engaged by the corner piece generally designated 32. There are provided, generally speaking, four members 32, same carried by a cable 33 of the same type as cables 12 and 12'. Member 32 has opening 32a therethrough, same being provided with two legs 32b and 32c, each leg 32b and 320, in trans verse section, comprising a pair of inwardly extending, outwardly angled legs converging outwardly to a common base, whereby to be V-shaped, inverted, in transverse section. Again, the inward edges of these legs are rounded or beveled. Comparing the views of FIGS. 2 and 7, one may see that the configuration is substantially identical, save for the two-piece construction of FIG. 2 and the relieving of the corner piece 18 at 18b for weight purposes. This may be done, if desired, with the construction of FIGS. 6-8, inclusive.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10*, therein is shown a modified construction for use in framing purposes. The frame in FIG. 10 has members 40, 41, 42 and 43. Each of these members has mitered ends for mating purposes, comparable to the views of FIGS. 1, 3 and 6. In the construction of FIGS. 9 and 10, the cable, turnbuckle, clip or clamp 17 arrangement is replaced by a less versatile (in terms of adaptation to different shapes, numbers of corners, configuration complexity, etc.) construction, but one which has certain advantages.

This modification consists in a pair of elongate, circular in cross section rods 44 and 45, each of which is externally threaded at the ends thereof. Rods 44 and 45 may be hollow tubes or solid rods of steel or other suitable material. Rods 44 and 45 could be cables having externally threaded end pieces, if desired. Referring to FIG. 9, therein is shown the corner assembly at each end of the rods 44 and 45. Hollow tube 46 has threaded rod 47 extending at right angles to the axis thereof, the latter threadably engageable by nut 48. The member generally designated 49 is identical in construction to the piece 32 of FIGS. 6-8, inclusive, save that the cable passage 32a is replaced by opening or hole 50 which permits the passage of threaded rod 47 therethrough. Member 49 has wedging legs in the same manner as members 32. It should be noted that the members 49 may be replaced by members of the structure seen at 10 and 11 in FIGS. 11: and 2a to cooperate with members of the character 18, if desired. An additional nut 51 is provided to engage each end threaded rod 44 and 45.

In operation of the device of FIGS. 9 and 10, the frame elements 4043, inclusive, are roughly aligned with the mitered ends thereof substantially in place. Glue or adhesive of the desired type is first applied to the mating faces of the mitered ends. On each of rods 44 and 45, there is positioned a tube 46, in this case designated 46a and 46b for rods 45 and 44, respectively. Rigidly attached via the threaded rods 47 and nuts 48, not seen in the view of FIG. 10, are members 49a and 4%. Nuts 51a and 51b are screwed down to a position inward of the ends of rods 45 and 44, dependent to a certain extent on the size of the total frame. With members 49a and 49b engaging the ends of frame members 40, 41 and 42, the tubes 46, 46c and 46a are slid onto the other ends of rods 44 and 45, respectively, whereby to engage the opposite frame corners with corner pieces or members 490 and 49d. Once the frame is generally adjusted, loosely, additional nuts 51 may be screwed onto the ends of the rods 44 and 45 and .the entire framing assembly tightened down via these nuts. Note that there is one such nut shown on the opposite end of rod 45 from that carrying nut 51a whereby toindicate that the member 49d is being finally adjusted with respect to distance apart with respect to members 49a.

As previously mentioned, if members 49 are replaced by members equivalent to those seen at 10 and 11 in FIGS 1a and 2a, then members equivalent to those seen 7 at 18 in FIGS. 1-5, inclusive, must be inserted between the said members 10 and 11 and the frames, unless same are flat peripheried frames of the construction seen at 13, 14 and 15 in FIG. 1a.

The construction of FIG. 11 differs from all the constructions previously seen in that the individual corner members of a framing assembly are not connected to one another. In the two different constructions of FIGS. 1-5, inclusive, and FIGS. 6-8, inclusive, respectively, all the corner members were mounted on a single cable, either 12 or 33. In the construction of FIGS. 9 and 10, opposed pairs of corner members, such as 49a and 49d, were connected by a single rod or cable 45. However, as mentioned, the construction of FIG. 11 shows the wedging corner piece of the previous figures, indicated generally at 32 and 49 in FIGS. 6 and 9, respectively, adapted to an isolated cornering frame member. These may be employed separately, in pairs or in other numbers, as required by the frame construction.

Referring to the specific construction of FIG. 11, there is shown an inner piece generally designated 60 comprising a right-angled L-piece having legs 60a and 60b welded, fixedly attached to or formed integrally with a flat plate having side portions 61 and 62. A stud or enlargement 63 on the other side of plate portions 61 and 62 mounts a rod 64 in rigid attachment thereto, said rod 64 extending at an angle which bisects the right angle of legs 60:: and 60b. The outward end 64a of rod 64 is externally threaded.

Slidable along rod 64 is a hollow tube 65 of the type seen at 46 in FIG. 9. An elongate externally threaded rod 66 analogous to rod 47 is connected thereto extending at right angles to the axis thereof. Nut 67 is threadably engageable therewith in the manner of nut 48. Member 68 is of the same construction as member 49 in FIG. 9. It should be noted that member 68 can be replaced with a member or device of the type of member 10 or 11 in FIG. 10, same to cooperate with a corner piece or member of the type seen at 18 in FIGS. 15, inclusive. A pair of frame members 69 and 70 are to be joined by the assembly of FIG. 11.

In operation of the device seen in FIG. 11, the frame members 69 and 70, having mitered corners or ends of the type seen at 30 and 31 in FIG. 6, are overlaid on plates 61 and 62 with the inner faces thereof abutting against the outward faces of legs 60a and 60b. Tube 65 is then slid on shaft 64 until the angled legs of member 68 abut the peripheries of the frame pieces 69 and 70'. It is not necessary that nuts 48 and 67 be too tightly threaded down on rods 66 and 47, provided the shafts 47 and 66 have a close sliding fit through the openings in the members 49 and 68 as seen at 50 in FIG. 9. This permits up and down adjustment of members 68 and 49 on the shafts 47 and 66. Alternatively, shims of various types may be mounted on each side of the shafts 47 and 66 on either or both sides of the members 68 and 49, between tubes 46 and 65 and nuts 48 and 67. Once the vertical adjustment of the frame member 68 is made with respect to nut 67 and tube 65, with or without shims or washers, nut 71 is screwed onto threaded portion 64a of shaft 64 whereby to tighten member 68 toward legs 60a and 60b, thereby wedging and fixing the frame pieces 69 and 70 in gluing position.

It should be noted that the two V-angles 0f the frame members may vary according to specific framing purposes. Thus, the side view V-angle (say, of legs 32b and 32c of FIG. 6 with respect to one another) may be formed for specific framing or construction purposes of angle greater or lesser than the conventionally more useful shown. Likewise, the V-angle in transverse section of the inner faces of the legs of the corner member may typically vary from an optimal, lesser angle of 60 to the 90 showing of FIGS. 4 and 5 or even greater. The lengths of the legs in side and transverse view may likewise be varied as desired.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A corner piece for a framing assembly comprising a free, rigid, two legged member V-shaped in side view, each leg of the V also V-shaped in transverse section on the sides thereof facing one another, the end edges of the V-legs facing one another rounded in transverse section.

2. A device as in claim 1 wherein the transverse sectional V-leg lengths are substantially 0.6 inch long and the distance between the end edges of the transverse sectional V-legs is substantially 0.88 inch.

3. A corner piece as in claim 1, including a cooperating two-legged member, the outer peripheral sides of the V-shaped member and the inner facing sides of the legs of the cooperating member so configured as'to fixedly engage one another when the inner facing sides of the legs of the cooperating member abut the outer peripheral sides of the V-shaped member in overlying fashion, whereby to prevent movement between said members when engaging a corner of a frame.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,415,259 2/1947 Renton 269-109 2,696,232 12/1954 Johnson 269-108 X FOREIGN PATENTS 24,083 1907 Great Britain.

129,195 8/ 1950 Sweden.

ROBERT C. RIORDON, Primary Examiner LEON GILDEN, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

